Expanding the duration of the neurology clerkship – does it matter?

Abstract

Objective: The standard duration of the core neurology clerkship at our institution is four weeks. However, the optimal length to provide sufficient exposure to medical students remains unknown. We investigated whether an additional week of neurology exposure could improve students’ neurology clerkship experience and stimulate interest in the discipline. Methods: Third-year students rotating through their core four-week (n = 94) or five-week (n = 94) neurology clerkship in two consecutive years took part in the study. Participants completed surveys on their perceptions of neurology and their overall experience during the clerkship after concluding their rotation. Their exam scores and grades in neurology and the number of the students applying to the national neurology resident match were also collected. Results: Medical students’ interest in pursuing neurology residency was significantly higher in the 5-week group (20.21%) compared to the 4-week group (9.57%) (p = 0.04). This led to an increase in adult or pediatric neurology match applications (11.70%) in the 5-week group compared to the 4-week group (3.19%) (p = 0.03). Moreover, with extended contact neurology residents were perceived as better role models in terms of bedside manner and professionalism (90.43% vs. 77.66%; p = 0.02). Conclusion: An increase in the length of the neurology clerkship stimulated more interest in neurology among the medical students. In addition, the students reported perceiving the residents as role models, which likely positively impacted their overall impression of the neurology clerkship experience and highlights the importance of residents in medical education.

Keywords

• Neurology education
• Clerkship
• Medical students